ONTARIO ANNOUNCES MEASURES TO INCREASE SCHOOL BUS SAFETY

BROCKVILLE – Ontario’s government for the people has announced new measures to give municipalities the tools they need to target drivers who threaten the safety of children crossing roads to get to and from their school bus.

The proposed regulations will allow for more efficient enforcement and prosecution by allowing evidence from these cameras to be used in court without the requirement of an additional witness.

“Putting people first is something our government prioritizes in everything we do and that certainly includes the safety of students on school buses,” said Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes MPP Steve Clark. “These proposed new measures from the Ministry of Transportation will help enforce the law and prosecute irresponsible drivers who put our children at risk in the municipalities I serve.”

“Our support of this technology could encourage that sober second thought that will save a life. As a parent, it is reassuring to see our government take concrete steps to mitigate risks and ensure no family feels the horrifying aftermath of a tragic accident,” said Bay of Quinte MPP Todd Smith.

“The safety of our most precious resource, our children, is our government’s number one priority,” said Minister Yurek. “We intend to create a regulatory framework that will allow for more efficient enforcement and prosecution to keep our children safer.”

Ontario also plans to introduce legislation that, if passed, would allow municipalities to target drivers who threaten the safety of children on school buses with new, additional monetary penalties.

QUICK FACTS:

Each school day, more than 837,000 students travel in a school vehicle in Ontario.

Injuries and fatalities, which are very rare, happen more often outside the school bus as students are boarding and leaving the bus or crossing the street.